The delegation was led by Ms Phetsamone Sone, Head of the Lao Statistics Bureau under the Ministry of Finance. It also included officials from the International Finance and Cooperation Department and the Department of Planning, as well as representatives from the Permanent Mission of the Lao PDR to the United Nations.

The session brought together members of the United Nations Economic and Social Council from 47 countries, alongside delegates from more than 100 UN member and observer states. Representatives from non-governmental organisations holding ECOSOC consultative status also attended.

Discussions focused on two key agenda items: progress in implementing the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development, and the role of population, technology and research in advancing sustainable development.

During the general debate on 14 April, Ms Phetsamone delivered Lao PDR’s national statement, outlining the country’s progress and priorities in population and development. She reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the ICPD Programme of Action, while highlighting efforts to integrate population, gender equality and reproductive health into the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2026–2030) and the National Population and Development Policy.

She also noted key national initiatives, including the development of the first Adolescent and Youth Development Action Plan and the establishment of a National Steering Committee on Population and Development. Progress in data systems was emphasised, particularly the 2025 Population and Housing Census—the first to be conducted digitally—in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund in Lao PDR.

Further updates included the implementation of the National Action Plan on the Prevention and Response to Violence Against Women, ongoing gender equality initiatives, and the adoption of a new Strategy on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health.

The delegation also highlighted outcomes from the second National Conference on Population and Development held in 2025, which stressed the importance of investing in young people by expanding access to education, employment opportunities and reproductive health services, while strengthening population data and statistical systems.

Ms. Phetsamone further underscored the long-standing partnership between the Lao Government and UNFPA, marking 50 years of cooperation in supporting women’s empowerment, gender equality, family planning and statistical development.

At the conclusion of the session, three key documents were adopted: a resolution on the special theme for the 61st session in 2028, focusing on population trends and projections in development planning; the provisional agenda for the 60th session in 2027; and the draft report of the 59th session.

KPL